When it comes to promoting your business in an age where digital marketing is a necessity, there are a myriad of different approaches you can take. Many of these will require the help of marketing and graphic design professionals. While those strategies certainly have their place, it’s always a good idea to explore more options you can execute on your own. Blogging is a great way to establish your business and attract customers, and one that you can execute on your own.

Blogging can be intimidating, we know. Time is a precious commodity, and one that we don’t like to give away. You might even feel like you’re unsure how to go about starting a blog – what to write about it, or what content makes for good blogging. This is an area where AZ Media Maven can help – we can discuss what’s right for your business, and for you. For a growing business keeping an industry related blog on your website is invaluable.

Here are five reasons why our team at AZ Media Maven say you should consider blogging:

1. Attract an Audience

Blogging consistently helps build an audience interested in what you have to say. If there is any one term that you’ve read over and over again while researching business sites, it’s SEO (search engine optimization). Your website only works if users can find it! If you are blogging consistently on your website, this increases the possibility that potential customers will find the information they’re looking for on your business’ site. Well-written blogs with useful content will get noticed in search engines, and encourage more visitors to your website. This doesn’t just increase the traffic to your site, it increases the right traffic to your site. The readers who arrive at your site are already interested in the products or services you are offering. This gives you a better chance to convert them into customers. If your blog has the answers they’re seeking, readers might also share links to your blog on social media or with friends and family, creating an infinite pool of potential customers.

2. Make Your Voice Heard

It might be surprising to know that potential clients want not only to see that you are a knowledgeable professional, but who you are as a person. Sometimes it can be difficult for business owners to establish a voice independent from their business, but doing so is a great way to appeal to customers. Being seen as a person rather than just the faceless head of your organization is important because many customers want to support businesses they can trust. Individuals are generally more successful at building those relationships than an impersonal entity.

And, because blogs are a less formal way of presenting information, your personality can shine through and give potential customers a glimpse into who you are. Industry related business blogging is a great way to maintain the delicate balance between professionalism and individuality. A great example is Richard Branson’s blog for his Virgin airlines website. Not only does he provide stellar content (consistently addressing the latest advancements in his industry and dealing tactfully with current events), but his personality adds an extra layer of appeal and makes it a joy to read.

3. Establish Your Brand
   

Building a brand is vital to success in just about any area of business, and blogging can help you create a reputation that feels authentic. There is more to brand building than just the visual components. Use your posts as a chance to create a voice that represents everything for which your business stands.  Part of this is building credibility as an expert in your field. As a social media management company, AZ Media Maven focuses a lot of content on how to use various platforms, such as blogging, to improve brand awareness and engage with customers and potential customers. If you write about what you know, you will sound authoritative and knowledgeable, both traits customers seek when determining who they will buy from or who they will hire.

4. Share Content Across Multiple Channels

Blog posts are teeming with great information – don’t let it go to waste! Your blog can easily be fuel for your social media efforts. Pull particularly choice quotes and data and use them on Twitter or Facebook or turn them into an infographic and use them on Instagram or Pinterest. At AZ Media Maven, we pull useful information from our blogs and convert them into Tuesday Tips for social media and slideshows for our Google My Business page. And, of course, the blogs provide useful content for clients and other small business owners.

Your current customer base is also a channel you can reach with consistent blogging, and perhaps the most underutilized. Customers are less likely to stay engaged with your business if they are only receiving promotional emails, and may become accustomed to waiting for a promotion which grabs their eye instead of utilizing your services or products as their needs arise. An informative newsletter is attractive content that they will find helpful and your current customers will look forward to hearing from you. It might take time to build a high quality list of subscribers, but you can start by asking for subscribers on your website.

5. Answer Customer Questions

Finally, maintaining a blog is a great way to answer customer questions and concerns. If someone leaves a comment on one of your blog posts, make sure to interact with it and answer any questions they might have. Your response may sway future customers to do business with you based solely on the time you’re willing to spend on the comment section – so remember to be kind as well as informative.

If you are looking for strategies to increase customer interaction and drive more people to your site, blogging should be at the top of your growing business to-do list. This will help boost your online presence, strengthen your brand, and stay connected to current and potential clients.

AZ Media Maven is based in Laveen, AZ, a suburban village in the greater Phoenix area. Owner Rose Tring has 25 years experience as an editor and writer, many of those years in business news. AZ Media Maven provides services to small business owner. We teach our clients how to best use social media and we provide affordable public relation services. Reach AZ Media Maven by emailing azmediamaven@azmediamaven.com, or calling (602) 373-8371.